Monday, October 31, 2005

Pope: Don't Fear Death

Today, on All Hallows Eve, Pope Benedict XVI said that the November 1 feast of All Saints and the November 2 feast of All Souls encourage Christians to offer prayers for their departed loved ones and can also help them "think of the mystery of death without fear."

"New life, received through baptism, is not subject to the corruption and power of death," he said.

For Christians, "death is a gateway from the earthly pilgrimage to the home of heaven, where the Father welcomes all his children of every nation, race, people and tongue," he said.